2023 NHL Playoffs: Panthers vs Maple Leafs Analysis & Prediction

The Toronto Maple Leafs made the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2004 after eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games, snapping a streak of seven consecutive first-round exits. The Florida Panthers pulled off a mega upset, trashing many people’s NHL predictions and brackets, erasing a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Boston Bruins in seven games.

With the Bruins’ elimination, the Toronto Maple Leafs are now the favorite on NHL Stanley Cup oddsto win their first championship since 1967. We’ll review the stats, trends, NHL odds, and head-to-head history in our Panthers vs Maple Leafs betting analysis.

Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Location of the game: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Date & Time: Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023, 7:00 PM ET.

The NHL schedule for playoffs is a tight turnaround for both teams. Florida defeated the Boston Bruins 4-3 in overtime in game seven on April 30th.

The Maple Leafs won their last game in overtime, eliminating the Lightning with a 2-1 victory in game six on April 29th. Toronto won the most recent head-to-head matchup, scoring a 2-1 victory in overtime on April 10th.

Florida’s NHL team stats aren’t very impressive on the surface. The Panthers averaged 3.71 goals per game, while the powerplay operated at 25.0% in the first round against the Bruins. Defensively, Florida averaged 3.86 goals per game, while the penalty kill operated at 59.3%.

Matthew Tkachuk leads the Panthers in NHL player statswith 11 post-season points (five goals, six assists) Florida had a 19-19-3 road record this season and 3-1 in the first round.

Toronto averaged 3.83 goals per game in six games against Tampa Bay, while the powerplay converted at 28.6%. Defensively, the Maple Leafs averaged 3.5 goals-against per game, while the penalty kill operated at 76.2%.

Mitch Marner leads the Leafs in scoring with 11 points (two goals, nine assists). Toronto had a 27-8-6 home record this season while going 1-3 on home ice against Tampa Bay.

Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky (24-20-3, 3.07 GAA, .901 SV%), who posted a 3-1-0 record, a 3.94 GAA, and a .891 SV% in round one, will face Toronto’s Ilya Samsonov (27-10-5, 2.33 GAA, .919 SV%), who went 4-2 against the Lightning, with a 3.14 GAA and a .900 SV%, in game one’s goaltending matchup.

There is no movement on the NHL injury report for either team.

Before making a pick for our Panthers vs Maple Leafs betting odds, we’ll quickly review the NHL Stanley Cup odds for game one.

Moneyline: The Maple Leafs (-1.5) are the moneyline favorite, listed between -160 and -177, while the Panthers (+1.5) are listed from +135 to +148. Toronto has a 42-46 ats record, while Florida has a 37-52 ats record.

Over/Under Total: The total goals line is at 6.5, with the over listed around -120 and the under floating around +100. Toronto has a 41-43-4 over/under record, while Florida has a 48-33-8 over/under record.

Toronto holds the edge in the season series 3-1, with three of the four matchups decided in overtime, resulting in a 2-2 over/under record, with three games listed at 7.0 total goals.

These teams combined for a 2-2 ats record this season. The road team has won the previous three meetings.

• Our picks for our Panthers vs Maple Leafs betting analysis are for the Leafs to win and for this game to hit the over.

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